DOCSLIB.ORG

School Librarians' View of Cooperation with Public Libraries: A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
School Librarians' View of Cooperation with Public Libraries: A Volume 23, 2020 Approved May 2020 ISSN: 2165-1019 www.ala.org/aasl/slr School Librarians’ View of Cooperation with Public Libraries: A Win-Win Situation in Hong Kong Lok-Man Leung, Graduate of MSc (LIM), University of Hong Kong Dr. Dickson Chiu, Lecturer, University of Hong Kong Dr. Patrick Lo, Associate Professor, University of Tsukuba Abstract The purpose of the research was to explore the collaboration between public libraries and schools in Hong Kong from the perspective of school librarians. Three school librarians were interviewed (semi-structured), and their responses were thematically analyzed. Collaboration between public libraries and the three schools was well received and supported by the principals at their respective schools. The three school librarians considered inter-lending to be a top benefit, as well as access to electronic resources. A goal was further collaboration with public libraries. In return, the school librarians were committed to promoting public library services through engaging in educational activities with teachers and students. Furthermore, outreach activities were a significant focus for collaboration. The study of public library and school library collaboration in Asian countries is largely missing from academic dialogue, especially studies focusing on collaboration in a large metropolis like Hong Kong. Through in-depth interviews and qualitative analysis, this paper is intended to fill the research gap in this particular area of study. Introduction School-public library collaboration is not a new concept (Cherry 1982; Czopek 1995; Douglas 1990; Fitzgibbons 2000; Harper 2014; Nesi 2012; Oestreich 1994; Sager 1992; Shannon 1991; Smith, Shea, and Wu 2014; Tameem 1988; Vincelette and Queen 2012). In the last three decades, there has been discussion in the field of public librarianship to explore further possible methods of achieving successful collaboration with schools. For schools facing budget constraints, the opportunity to use resources available through public libraries has made collaboration even more beneficial (Abram 2011; Smith, Shea, and Wu 2014). Collaboration not Volume 23 | ISSN: 2165-1019 only adds value to school library services but also allows for greater opportunities for public libraries’ resources to be used more effectively and widely. Although some studies have been conducted on this topic in Western countries, little discussion about the collaboration between schools and public libraries has been documented in Southeast Asian countries. The research for this exploratory paper aims to find out how schools utilized the resources provided by the Hong Kong Public Libraries system and how this use of public library resources affected the work of school librarians. Literature Review Discussions concerning school-public library collaborations can be traced back to the late nineteenth century (Harper 2014). Early collaborations were carried out in the form of academic support. Schools provided advance notice to the public libraries, and the latter made the requested resources available for students. Collaborations between schools and public libraries were historically based upon a shared interest in providing specialized services for students such as assignment assistance, readers’ advisory, and informational resources. Alternatively, in rural areas, joint-use libraries shared by schools and the public have also been successful, such as those in Australia and New Zealand in the 1990s (Bundy 1998). Collaboration has since expanded to what Meghan Harper has identified as at least three core areas of school-public library collaboration, namely: facility-based services, outreach services, and specialized services for individuals with special needs. According to Harper, the effort made by schools to encourage students to use the facilities of the public library falls within the category of “facility-based service” (2014). This kind of collaboration requires classroom teachers or school librarians to take the initiative and devise public library-related assignments or encourage students to use the services of public libraries. Public libraries’ outreach services include taking proactive steps to promote their resources and services to educators. The third area, as it concerns individual special education needs, is out of the context of this paper. According to Stephen Abram (2011), school-public library collaboration can also be recognized in terms of both simple and complex strategies. Abram identified six simple strategies and six complex strategies that could be employed to enhance collaboration between school and public libraries. Abram suggested the following simple actions school librarians can take: 1. Provide links from the school library homepage to the local public library’s website. 2. Promote the public library summer reading program. 3. Run public library card membership campaigns. 4. Become familiar with the resources in the local public library. 5. Host visits from public library staff. 6. Organize field trips and/or walking tours at a local library branch. Through implementing these six simple strategies, school librarians can foster a strong partnership with public libraries as well as provide various ways for students to expand their education by taking advantage of available public library resources. 2 of 17 SLR School Library Research | www.ala.org/aasl/slr Volume 23 | ISSN: 2165-1019 While simple strategies serve as effective first steps to engaging in a strong relationship between schools and libraries, complex strategies involve in-depth planning for long-term collaboration. Abrams suggested the following actions: 1. School librarians could conduct training workshops on curriculum for local public librarians. 2. School and public librarians could collaborate on planning homework-helper sessions at the public library and get teachers involved, if possible. 3. Both school and public librarians could conduct tactical training for one another to build skills by drawing on the expertise of both types of librarians. 4. School and public librarians can work together to develop a wide-area strategy to tie public and school library cooperation to standards and to share the tasks involved with helping students meet those standards. 5. School librarians can pilot events that include the classroom and both libraries. 6. School and public librarians can plan and hold joint author events. As opposed to the six simple strategies, which could be run on an ad hoc basis, the six complex strategies proposed by Abram require advance planning and organization, with specific aims to facilitate students’ information needs in particular areas and maintain sustainable collaboration between schools and public libraries. Although the ways in which schools and libraries have developed cooperation over the years has changed, the basis of collaboration is still founded upon the mutual interest in serving the shared patron base of students (Harper 2014; Vincelette and Queen 2012). Through closely shared educational initiatives and effective activities, public and school librarians can foster lifelong public library patrons while supporting learners as they develop skills to meet standards (Nesi 2012). Through strong cooperation, both schools and libraries can promote strong reading habits among the junior patrons and, ultimately, promote lifelong reading in the community (Abram 2011). Schools facing budget constraints can avoid some expenditures by using public library resources (Vincelette and Queen 2012). This relationship then, in turn, provides a boost to the usage of resources at public libraries. As technology continues to change the ways in which we acquire information, joint programs between schools and libraries will be key to enhancing the information-literacy skills of students (Serantes 2006). Daniella Smith, Misty Shea, and Wei-Ning Wu confirmed that such collaboration achieved positive results in the United States. Their quantitative survey of 265 public librarians focused on resource sharing from the perspective of public librarians (2014). Recently, Jenna Kammer and Denise Moreland interviewed libraries in a rural area of the Midwestern United States and indicated that such collaboration has been affected by systematic and regional constraints (2020). Similar studies on this topic from perspectives of school librarians’ in Asia, especially in metropolises like Hong Kong, are largely missing. 3 of 17 SLR School Library Research | www.ala.org/aasl/slr Volume 23 | ISSN: 2165-1019 Research Questions This study explores the extent of resources available to Hong Kong Public Libraries that support school librarians, and how those resources are used to promote literacy and support students’ education. We further examined the factors affecting their collaboration practices. The following research questions guided this study and provided the framework for the design of the study. Research Question 1: What are the aspects of collaboration between the Hong Kong Public Libraries and local school librarians? Research Question 2: What are the roles and perceptions of school librarians in their collaboration with the Hong Kong Public Libraries? Methodology RESEARCH METHOD Semi-structured interviews were conducted because this study was intended to be exploratory and to reveal richer and more diversified information than responses to a questionnaire could provide. Qualitative interviews can be used to explore the underlying reasons for the observed actions and decisions. Paul D. Leedy
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Public Libraries, Archives and Museums: Trends in Collaboration and Cooperation
    International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions IFLA Professional Reports, No. 108 108 Public Libraries, Archives and Museums: Trends in Collaboration and Cooperation Alexandra Yarrow, Barbara Clubb and Jennifer-Lynn Draper for the Public Libraries Section Standing Committee Copyright 2008 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Public Libraries, Archives and Museums: Trends in Collaboration and Cooperation / Alexandra Yarrow, Barbara Clubb and Jennifer-Lynn Draper. The Hague, IFLA Headquarters, 2008. – 50p. 30 cm. – (IFLA Professional Reports: 108) ISBN 978-90-77897-28-7 ISSN 0168-1931 Table of Contents Executive Summary 4 Introduction: Why Collaborate and Cooperate? 5 Project Proposal 6 Research Methods 7 Literature Review 8 Collaborative Programming Community and Heritage Programs 10 Museum/Art Pass Programs 13 Collaborative Electronic Resources Global Initiatives 16 Continental Initiatives 16 National Initiatives 17 Regional and Local Initiatives 20 Joint-use/Integrated Facilities Minimal Integration 25 Selective Integration 27 Full Integration 28 Guide to Collaboration Best Practices 31 A Successful Collaboration, from Start to Finish 32 Creating Collaborative Electronic Resources: Special Considerations 34 Benefits and Risks of Collaboration 35 Risk Management Strategies 36 Conclusion 37 Contributors 38 Acknowledgements 39 Works Consulted 41 1 Executive Summary This report examines the recent trends in collaboration and cooperation between public libraries, archives and museums. In many cases, the shared or similar missions of the institutions reviewed make them ideal partners in collaborative ventures. Different types of collaborative projects are examined, including exhibits, community programs, digital resources and joint-use facilities. Examples come from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom (UK), as well as from Russia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
    [Show full text]
  • Entire Public Libraries Directory In
    October 2021 Directory Local Touch Global Reach https://directory.sailor.lib.md.us/pdf/ Maryland Public Library Directory Table of Contents Allegany County Library System........................................................................................................................1/105 Anne Arundel County Public Library................................................................................................................5/105 Baltimore County Public Library.....................................................................................................................11/105 Calvert Library...................................................................................................................................................17/105 Caroline County Public Library.......................................................................................................................21/105 Carroll County Public Library.........................................................................................................................23/105 Cecil County Public Library.............................................................................................................................27/105 Charles County Public Library.........................................................................................................................31/105 Dorchester County Public Library...................................................................................................................35/105 Eastern
    [Show full text]
  • White Awards Over $18 Million in Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants
    For Immediate Release: August 20, 2021 White Awards Over $18 Million in Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded FY21 Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants totaling $18.1 million to 638 public libraries serving almost 12 million patrons. “Public Act 102-0039 allowed my office to award these grants at $1.475 per capita, an increase from the previous rate of $1.25,” White said. “I am extremely proud of the outstanding service Illinois’ public libraries provide to all residents. I truly believe libraries are cornerstones of our communities, and I am pleased to provide this increased funding to help them serve the public.” Some of the valuable services public libraries provide with grant money include the following: • Large print material for aging patrons • Books, magazines, newspapers, CDs and DVDs • Audiobooks and eBooks • Home visit book delivery service • New computers, iPads and printers • Spanish and dual language materials • Expanded access to online resources • Adult programming • Newsletters, postcards and other promotional materials Per Capita Grant funding is authorized under Illinois library law for public libraries, which allows resources for expenses such as materials, personnel, equipment, electronic access, telecommunications and technology. Equalization Aid Grants help qualifying public libraries with a low library tax base ensure a minimum level of funding for library services. Information concerning the grant programs can
    [Show full text]
  • Ross-Broadway Branch, Denver Public Library National Register
    United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Ross-Broadway Branch, Denver Public Library Denver, Colorado Name of Property County and State ______________________________________________________________________ 4. National Park Service Certification I hereby certify that this property is: entered in the National Register determined eligible for the National Register determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain:) _____________________ ________________________________________________________________ Signature of the Keeper Date of Action ______________________________________________________________________ 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply.) Private: Public – Local X Public – State Public – Federal Category of Property (Check only one box.) Building(s) X District Site Structure Object Sections 1-6 page 2 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Ross-Broadway Branch, Denver Public Library Denver, Colorado Name of Property County and State Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count) Contributing Noncontributing _____1_______ _______0______ buildings _____________ _____________ sites _____________ _____________ structures _____________ _____________ objects ______1_______ _______0_______
    [Show full text]
  • Brookings Public Library Policy Manual
    Brookings Public Library Policy Manual Continuously Reviewed and Approved by Brookings Public Library Board of Trustees BROOKINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY MISSION STATEMENT The Brookings Public Library will provide materials and information contributing to the education, recreation and quality of life for the community. The Brookings Public Library offers the same quality of service to all regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, educational background, disability, age, sex, or sexual orientation or gender identity or any other criteria. BROOKINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEE BYLAWS ARTICLE I - Name This organization shall be called "The Board of Trustees of the Brookings Public Library" existing by virtue of the provisions of Chapter 14-2 of the South Dakota Codified Laws, 1975 revision and 1977 supplement, and exercising the powers and authority and assuming the responsibilities delegated to it under the said statute. ARTICLE II – Appointment of Trustees Section 2.03 of the Brookings City Charter requires that the Mayor shall appoint with the advice and consent of the City Council the members of citizen advisory boards, committees and commissions including the BPL Board of Trustees.1 A majority of the members shall be residents of the City. Members shall have a current library card in good standing. The City Clerk will post the call for BPL Board of Trustee applications and contact incumbents whose terms are expiring and inquire if they wish to be considered for reappointment. Normally only those who have filed applications will be considered for appointment. Trustees are encouraged to suggest that potential Board members apply. A book of filed applications is maintained by the City Clerk and will be available for review by the public.
    [Show full text]
  • DIRECTOR's REPORT June 17, 2021 Strategic Plan Our Mission
    DIRECTOR’S REPORT June 17, 2021 Strategic Plan Our Mission: We are “The People’s University,” the center of learning for a diverse and inclusive community. Our Strategic Priorities: 1. Form communities of learning 2. Fight community deficits 3. Ready for the future: CPL 150 4. Cultivate a global perspective 5. Innovate for efficient and sustainable operations PUBLIC SERVICES MAIN LIBRARY SERVICES DURING COVID-19 Due to the public health threat of COVID-19, face coverings and social distancing continue to be required for Library patrons. In addition, time and capacity limits remain in place for TechCentral and branches. PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND EXHIBITS Literature and Ohio Center for the Book Manager Don Boozer hosted a conversation with Derf Backderf on his graphic novel Kent State on May 3rd. The live event and recording have been viewed 68 times. Popular Librarian Judy Daniels and Library Assistant Ricardo Jackson assembled hot lists for books and DVDs for patrons to place holds. Center for Local and Global History Library Assistant Danilo Milich created a May book display, It Is Time to Travel the USA. The display includes travel guides for USA, National Parks, and Civil War sites. Books by Mail Programs Words on Wheels staff mailed out 21 packages containing 36 items to 11 patrons as of May 17th. Homebound Services sent 181 packages to 170 patrons during the month of April. Covid-19 Home Test Distribution Lending Department staff have distributed 343 BinaxNOW COVID-19 Home Test Kits to patrons as of May 18, 2021 at the Main Library Drive—Up Window.
    [Show full text]
  • Library Resources Technical Services
    Library Resources & ISSN 0024-2527 Technical Services October 2008 Volume 52, No. 4 OPAC Queries at a Medium-Sized Academic Library Heather L. Moulaison Literature of Acquisitions in Review, 1996–2003 Barbara S. Dunham and Trisha L. Davis How Much are Technical Services Worth? Philip Hider The Association for Library Collections & Technical Services 52 ❘ 4 The Essential Cataloging and Classification Tools on the Web FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Now includes Spanish and French language interfaces! Cataloger’s Classification Desktop Web Now with The most widely used cataloging Full-text display of much quicker documentation resources in an integrated, all LC classification online system—accessible anywhere. schedules & subject Class Schedule navigation! � Look up a rule in AACR2 and then headings. Updated quickly and easily consult the rule’s daily. LC Rule Interpretation (LCRI). � Find LC/Dewey New! � Includes Describing Archives: A Content Standard. correlations—Match LC classification and subject headings to Dewey® classification � Turn to dozens of cataloging publications numbers as found in LC cataloging records. and metadata resource links plus the complete Use in conjunction with OCLC’s WebDewey® MARC 21 documentation. service for perfect accuracy. � Find what you need quickly with the � Search and navigate across all LC classes or enhanced, simplified user interface. the complete LC subject headings. Free trial accounts & annual Free trial accounts & annual subscription prices: subscription prices: Visit www.loc.gov/cds/desktop www.loc.gov/cds/classweb For free trial, complete the order form at Visit www.loc.gov/cds/desktop/OrderForm.html For free trial, complete the order form at www.loc.gov/cds/classweb/application.html AACR2 is the joint property of the American Library Association, the Canadian Library Association, the Chartered Institute of Library and Dewey and WebDewey are registered trademarks of OCLC, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Who Runs the Library?
    Who Runs the Library? The mission of most public libraries is to support the educational, recreational, and informational needs of the community. Everyone is welcome at the library, from the preschooler checking out his or her first book to the hobbyist looking for a 2 favorite magazine to the middle-aged breadwinner continuing her education by taking a class over the Internet. Providing a large number of services to meet the needs of a diverse population In This Trustee Essential requires a large supporting cast including trustees, the library director and staff, Responsibilities of the and representatives of the municipal government. When all members of the team library board know their responsibility and carry out their particular tasks, the library can run like a well-oiled machine. When one of the players attempts to take on the job of Responsibilities of the another, friction may cause a breakdown. library director The division of labor Responsibilities of the Library Board between the library director and the board The separate roles and responsibilities of each member of the team are spelled out in Wisconsin Statutes under Section 43.58, which is titled “Powers and Duties.” Responsibilities of the The primary responsibilities of trustees assigned here include: municipal government Exclusive control of all library expenditures. Purchasing of a library site and the erection of the library building when authorized. Exclusive control of all lands, buildings, money, and property acquired or leased by the municipality for library purposes. Supervising the administration of the library and appointing a librarian. Prescribing the duties and compensation of all library employees.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of E-Books on Publishers, Libraries, and the First Sale Doctrine
    File: Berube Created on: 4/2/2012 10:03:00 AM Last Printed: 4/2/2012 10:03:00 AM 63 A “LICENSE TO READ”: THE EFFECT OF E-BOOKS ON PUBLISHERS, LIBRARIES, AND THE FIRST SALE DOCTRINE RACHEL ANN GEIST* ABSTRACT E-books are rapidly displacing sales of books and transforming the way the American public understands and accesses information. Yet as e-books grow in popularity, the threat of piracy grows alongside them. Thousands of people search for pirated books online every day, and more are likely to follow, as e-books become the norm rather than the exception. To displace this threat, publishers convinced Congress to abandon the first sale doctrine in favor of a market theory that allowed publishers to license, rather than sell, their copy- righted works. Yet a decade later, Congress’s decision has not only failed to ensure publishers’ continued role as gatekeepers of literary content, but also stripped libraries of their ability to operate effectively in the digital age. As Congress sits back and watches, and the Supreme Court turns its back, libraries—the an- tithesis of a market entity—are at the mercy of market forces they can neither compete with nor control. Congressional action is needed to preserve the appli- cation of the first sale doctrine to publisher-library transactions and to guarantee the preservation of unfettered public access in the digital age. * J.D. Candidate, Emory University School of Law 2012; B.A., Vanderbilt University 2009. I would like to thank my family, especially my mother and my husband, for their encourage- ment, patience and support.
    [Show full text]
  • Medical Library Association Mosaic '16 Poster Abstracts
    Medical Library Association Mosaic ’16 Poster Abstracts Abstracts for the poster sessions are reviewed by members of the Medical Library Association Joint Planning Committee (JPC), and designated JPC members make the final selection of posters to be presented at the annual meeting. 1 Poster Number: 1 Time: Sunday, May 15, 2016, 2:00 PM – 2:55 PM Painting the Bigger Picture: A Health Sciences Library’s Participation in the University Library’s Strategic Planning Process Adele Dobry, Life Sciences Librarian, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA; Vessela Ensberg, Data Curation Analyst, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Libary, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, Los Angeles, CA; Bethany Myers, AHIP, Research Informationist, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, Los Angeles, CA; Rikke S. Ogawa, AHIP, Team Leader for Research, Instruction, and Collection Services, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Libary, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, Los Angeles, CA; Bredny Rodriguez, Health & Life Sciences Informationist, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, Los Angeles, CA Objectives: To facilitate health sciences participation in developing a strategic plan for the university library that aligns with the university's core mission and directs the library's focus over the next five years. Methods: The accelerated strategic planning process was planned for summer 2015, to be completed by fall 2015. The process was facilitated by bright spot, a consulting group. Seven initial areas of focus for the library were determined: Library Value and Visibility, Teaching and Learning, Research Process, Information and Resource Access, Relationships Within the Library, and Space Effectiveness. Each area of focus was assigned to a working group of 6-8 library staff members.
    [Show full text]
  • A 2020 Vision and Plan for Library Service in New York State
    Creating the Future: A 2020 Vision and Plan for Library Service in New York State Recommendations of the New York State Regents Advisory Council on Libraries to the New York State Board of Regents Albany, New York Table of Contents Executive Summary Page 1 Introduction Page 3 Purpose Page 3 Libraries - An Investment in Our Future Page 4 School Libraries Page 7 Academic and Research Libraries Page 9 Public Libraries Page 10 Special Libraries Page 12 New York State Library Systems Page 13 State Library/SED/Board of Regents Page 15 Technology and the Information Marketplace Page 17 Sustaining our Libraries Page 18 Regents Advisory Council Members Page 19 Creating the Future: A 2020 Vision and Plan for Library Service in New York State Executive Summary The Regents Advisory Council Vision 2020 Plan presents strategic directions for New York’s libraries and library systems. Developed in partnership with the state’s library community, the Vision 2020 Plan affirms the ongoing value of libraries and provides a clear vision of what excellent libraries should look like. The Plan offers models of success that may be emulated by libraries throughout New York, and makes 60 inter-related strategic recommendations for libraries, library systems, the New York State Library, and the Board of Regents. Several essential themes run through the Vision 2020 Plan. Foremost, there is a recognition that the state’s 7000 libraries matter very much to the people of New York: libraries represent communities and they empower individuals. Libraries are adapting very quickly to ever-changing technology, and have continued to employ both traditional and contemporary methods to sustain their institutional commitment to several core values shared by all types of libraries.
    [Show full text]
  • 1998 Library Bond Program Annual Report
    TABLE OF CONTENTS Strategic Plan Overview Page 1 Executive Summary 3 Library Background 3 Strategic Plan Background 5 Strengths & Opportunities 7 Goals & Activities 10 APPENDICES Library Strengths I Goals, Objectives & Activities II Operational Initiatives III Customer Satisfaction Survey IV Library Technology Plan V Branch Facilities Plan VI Library Bond Program, Annual Report VII STRATEGIC PLAN OVERVIEW "Building on Success," the Los Angeles Public Library's Strategic Plan for 2007 - 2010, is both aspirational and practical; it identifies the library's goals and recommends actions to achieve these goals. Specifically, this strategic plan is designed to help the library accomplish its mission of providing free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city's diverse communities. The plan will also serve as a blueprint for building on the library's unprecedented success in providing new facilities, technology, materials and programs that benefit all the people of Los Angeles. Page 1 The firm Dubberly Garcia Associates, Inc. which specializes in library consulting, created the plan with input from library staff, the Board of Library Commissioners, the public, elected officials and other stakeholders. The firm also used information from the library's customer satisfaction survey, strategic technology plan, updated draft facilities plan, and other documents. The plan follows the widely accepted format of the Public Library Association's planning process. The Executive Summary presents an overview of the process and findings, while more detailed information is available in the appendices. The goals in this plan are ambitious, but based on the library's previous successes they are attainable.
    [Show full text]